British television presenter Alison Hammond has hit back at critics of her romance with her 29-year-old boyfriend, telling detractors to mind their own business.
The 51-year-old television personality addressed the public scrutiny surrounding the 22-year age gap between herself and her partner in comments reported by People magazine.
Hammond advised individuals who object to her dating a younger man to look away, questioning why strangers invest so much time and effort into analysing other people's personal lives.
She explained that when two adults enter into a relationship voluntarily, are genuinely happy, share mutual love and respect, and can make each other laugh, there is no valid reason for anyone else to take issue with their partnership.
Double standards in dating
Hammond pointed out that the differences between her and her boyfriend are an essential element of what makes their romance exciting and rewarding.
She also challenged what she described as an enduring social double standard in the way age gaps are judged. According to the presenter, society routinely praises and applauds older men who date women who are much younger than them, whereas women facing similar age differences are subjected to criticism. She urged the public to let women enjoy the same happiness and pursue love without judgment.
Television career in Britain
Hammond has been one of the most familiar figures on British television for more than two decades, having first entered the public eye in 2002 as a contestant on the third series of the reality show Big Brother.
Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house, she joined ITV's flagship daytime programme This Morning as an entertainment correspondent. Over the subsequent two decades, she became known for her celebrity interviews, eventually stepping up to become a regular Friday co-host on the long-running show.
Her profile rose further when she joined Channel 4's culinary competition The Great British Bake Off as co-host alongside comedian Noel Fielding. Over the course of her broadcast career, she has also appeared as a contestant on popular British reality series including Strictly Come Dancing and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
